I have just brought a 94 Isuzu Rodeo and on the way home from purchasing it I noticed the Oil Pressure Gauge was at between 1 and 2 while idling, and the most it got up to was just past 2 when drivng approx 50miles and hour. It has 224000Ks on it and seems to be great in every aspect so far. Should I be concerned about Gauge?
This is a marvelous site for a non-mechanical old gal like me. I am going off to bed now but I look forward to an answer tomorrow....thanks

First thing I would do is change the oil/filter this coming weekend for sure.

Get yourself some Havoline 10w-30 and a Bosch or Motorcraft filter and change your oil this weekend - see if pressure comes up at all.

Sometimes the filter can cause weak oil pressure, other times it could just mean the oil has been in a while and needs changed - and, then again, these oil gauges are not 100% accurate, but that does seem a bit on the low side.

Previous owner probably has 5w-30 in it - which is not a problem, but the oil is probably worn out.

First thing I would do is change the oil/filter this coming weekend for sure.

Get yourself some Havoline 10w-30 and a Bosch or Motorcraft filter and change your oil this weekend - see if pressure comes up at all.

Sometimes the filter can cause weak oil pressure, other times it could just mean the oil has been in a while and needs changed - and, then again, these oil gauges are not 100% accurate, but that does seem a bit on the low side.

Previous owner probably has 5w-30 in it - which is not a problem, but the oil is probably worn out.
Dealer claims oil just changed but I am going to chang e it and put synthetic in. Friend says it does not appear oil is reaching lifter? this is not dyed in wool could be wrong there. I really appreciate your response so quickly thanks Charlene

Don't know if I would be putting synthetic in. You don't know the history of that engine; if it's had irregular oil changes with OR without synthetic you could loosen up a bunch of ick too soon and clog your oil pump screen, starving your engine of oil.

Personally, I'd run 10w-30 Havoline (biased to Havoline) with several short oil/filter changes, say 1-2k at most; then go to synthetic if you wish, but do NOT extend the oil changes for more then 3k miles.

These engines like REALLY clean oil, whether it's regular or synthetic - in which, it's almost not worth running synthetic since any regular oil can run 3k just fine.

Synthetic also has the potential of finding weak seals/gaskets, and can cause oil leaks on old seals IF they're not used to synthetic oil.

If the dealer has all previous records - doubtful, and/or you are able to find some previous owner information in the glove box (gotten lucky before) and can call and see what kind of oil it has used in the past, it would make it easier for you to decide.

Otherwise, I personally would not be putting in true synthetic oil at that mileage with no history info to go from.

Just my .02 cents. I'm the original owner of my '97 3.2L engine Rodeo with every 3k oil/filter changes with Havoline mostly - and after spending several months on a website designated around oils & filters that people have tried in their rigs, I honestly see no difference in better wear numbers or cleanliness in regards to people using synthetic versus regular oil.

What is EXTREMELY important in these engines is clean oil and check it often - some tend to be oil users; mainly an issue with the 98+yrs, but I've heard older Rodeo's doing the same.

Could you tell me is the oil pumpconnected to the Filter? Friend seems to think so and also thank-you for yur very valuable advice it is much appreciated....My friend is a trucker and semms to want to go with the Synthetic, so I guess we will see. Oil taken out is clean....

Which ever type of oil you decide is to your discretion, just make sure to change it every 2-3k miles regardless whether you use regular or synthetic.